Harper Government to Create Jobs and Growth by Cutting Red Tape

SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Feb. 22, 2012) - The Honourable Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for FedNor, today delivered a speech to representatives of Vancouver-area small and medium-sized enterprises on the Government's efforts to cut red tape.

"We will continue our work to cut red tape because we recognize that this contributes directly to innovation and increased productivity," said Minister Clement. "We think business should focus on what it does best: creating jobs and growth in communities across Canada."

The Government has already announced action on red tape: the "One-for-One" Rule is being adopted to remove at least one regulation each time federal regulators introduce a new one that imposes administrative burden on business. In addition, regulatory changes that increase administrative burden on business need to be offset with equal administrative burden reductions.

In January 2012, Minister Clement received the Red Tape Reduction Commission's Recommendations Report. The Report provides specific advice to departments and agencies on how to reduce unnecessary burden on business. It also proposes that the Government make systemic changes to the way it regulates businesses while ensuring that the environment and the health and safety of Canadians are not compromised. In the coming months, an action plan responding to the Commission's recommendations will be developed.

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